Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for reducing scar formation about a neural implant due to brain tissue and neural implant movement. In an embodiment, a neural implant is provided which has a surface coating that matches one or more mechanical properties, such as elastic modulus, of the brain tissue, thereby reduce scar formation about the neural implant due to normal brain micromotion.

Abstract: A method of improving the aromas and/or the flavor of chocolate or a precursor thereof or a chocolate-containing product comprising injecting a gas or gas mixture into the chocolate, precursor thereof or chocolate-containing product in containing means or into the containing means, container, the gas or gas mixture comprising an element selected from the group consisting of argon, krypton, xenon and neon or a mixture thereof substantially saturating the chocolate, precursor thereof or chocolate containing product with the gas or gas mixture; maintaining said saturation substantially throughout the volume of the storage container and during substantially all the time that the chocolate, precursor or chocolate-containing product is stored in said container.

Abstract: A method of improving the aromas or the flavor or both of a cutrus juice or precursor thereof, comprising injecting a gas or gas mixture into the citrus juice or precursor thereof or both in containing means or into containing means therefor, the gas or gas mixture containing an element selected from the group consisting of argon, krypton, xenon, neon and a mixture thereof; substantially saturating the citrus juice or precursor thereof with said gas or gas mixture, maintaining said saturation substantially throughout the volume of the containing means and during substantially throughout the duration that the citrus juice or precursor is stored in the containing means.

Abstract: A method of preserving a food by contacting the food with a noble gas, a mixture of noble gases or a mixture containing at least one noble gas.

Abstract: A method of improving the aroma and flavor of coffee, which entails contacting the same with a noble gas, mixture of noble gases or mixture containing at least one noble gas during at least a portion of any stage of processing or storage.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving an enzymatic process using at least one enzyme having pectinase activity which entails contacting the at least one enzyme during the process with a noble gas, mixture of noble gases or gas mixture containing at least one noble gas.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one browning reaction in a food, which entails effecting at least part of the reaction in the presence of at least one noble gas, a mixture of noble gases or a gaseous mixture containing at least one noble gas, thereby controlling the browning reaction.

Abstract: A process for preserving the color of red meat, which entails contacting the meat with an effective amount of an atmosphere selected from the group consisting of a noble gas, a mixture of noble gases and a mixture containing at least one noble gas and a carrier gas, the noble gas in the mixture with the carrier gas being selected from the group consisting of argon, neon, xenon an krypton and being present in said mixture in an amount of greater than about 10% by volume.

Abstract: A method of maintaining carbon dioxide concentration in an aqueous solution containing the same, which entails introducing an amount of a gas into the aqueous solution sufficient to maintain a desired level of carbon dioxide in the aqueous solution,the gas containing from about 25-100% by volume of argon and from about 0-75% by volume of a carrier gas therefor.

Abstract: A method for regulating enzyme activity, which entails contacting one or more enzymes with a gas containing one or more noble gases or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of washing one or more fresh vegetables, which entails washing the one or more fresh vegetables with at least one aqueous liquid containing at least an antimicrobially effective amount of dissolve carbon dioxide, and at least an amount of dissolved argon effective to inhibit bleaching and oxidizing effects of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for producing high fructose corn syrup from glucose containing syrup, which entails isomerizing the glucose containing syrup through an enzymatic reaction to make high fructose corn syrup, wherein the enzymatic reaction occurs in a gas containing solution which comprises at least one gas selected from the group consisting of noble gas.

Abstract: A process for producing high fructose corn syrup from glucose containing syrup, which entails isomerizing the glucose containing syrup through an enzymatic reaction to make high fructose corn syrup, wherein the enzymatic reaction occurs in a gas containing solution which comprises at least one gas selected from the group consisting of noble gas.

Abstract: A method for regulating enzyme activity, which entails contacting one or more enzymes with a gas containing one or more noble gases or mixtures thereof. The activity of an enzyme on a substrate can be improved by contacting the enzyme with a noble gas under specific temperatures and pressures. The preferred noble gases are krypton, neon, xenon, argon or mixtures of these gases. The enzymes whose activity can be improved are hydrolases, lyases, isomerases and ligases.

Abstract: A method of effecting increased performance of diagnostic enzyme reaction systems which includes contacting at least one reagent of an enzyme-diagnostic kit during use of the reagent in conjuction with the kit with a noble gas, mixture of noble gases or gas mixtures containing at least one noble gas.

Abstract: The activity of a lipase is improved in processes where the lipase is contacted with a noble gas. The gases neon, argon, xenon, and krypton when contacted with the lipase improve the activity of the lipase when the process is performed at a pressure less than 100 atmospheres.

Abstract: A method of detecting at least one noble gas through a semi-permeable membrane, allowing the permeating noble gas to contact an enzyme, the activity of which is changed by the noble gas, and detecting the change in enzyme activity.